The words happiness and Bliss are often used interchangeably in spiritual texts. That is the meaning with which the word Bliss is used in one spiritual text, is happiness according to another text. Sometimes the two are synonymously used.

    Examples of how various authors use the word happiness and Bliss with various meanings is given below.

1. Bliss: There are two types of Bliss:

   • Bliss in presence of objects is termed as happiness.

   • Bliss in absence of objects is termed as spiritual Bliss.

2. Happiness: Happiness is of three types:

   • Worldly happiness, that is, the happiness obtained through worldly transactions.

   • Happiness obtained in the subtle.

   • Spiritual happiness

   Spiritual happiness is superior to the other two for the following reasons:

   1. It is unrelated to any object.

   2. It is self-attained.

   3. It is lasting and does not end in any kind of unhappiness.
      Such unparalleled spiritual happiness is termed as Moksha.

3. According to Sankhya Philosophy:
   Sankhya philosophy talks about the attainment of a state called 'Eternal happiness'. According to this philosophy, if in any way there is destruction of ignorance, then there is separation of the supposed union of the soul and the world and the embodied soul is permanently liberated from the bondage of unhappiness.

4. According to Kundaliniyoga:
   When one is able to take the 'dhi' frequencies up to 'kha', that is up to the opening in one’s highest chakra (Sahasrar chakra), one experiences happiness. If this does not occur then there is unhappiness.

    (To be continued in the next Issue.)

    [Reference taken from the Sanatan organization’s publication, Vol. 1B: Spirituality, compiled by His Holiness Dr. Jayant Athavale and Her Holiness Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale.]